The ILWU identified the 12 most important political issues which the union will focus on during the 2003 session of the Hawaii State Legislature. The issues deal with health care (1,2,9,10), workers rights and benefits (3,4,5,6,7), tax breaks for business (8), education (11), and working harbors (12).

The 12 priorities are drawn from the union’s full legislative program which defines theILWU ’s position on a wide range
of political issues. The full program contains 100 items and covers economic development, worker rights, health and social
services, education, civil liberties, transportation, land use and the environment.

The ILWU is unique among Hawaii unions in having such a broad and extensive legislative program. The main reason for this is that ILWU members themselves work in almost every industry and live and work in almost every community in the
state from Kekaha on Kauai to Naalehu on the Big Island. The issues that concern ILWU members are the same issues that concern the people of Hawaii.

All state lawmakers receive a copy of the complete ILWU Legislative Program and the following priorities identified for
2003 Legislative Session.